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Reflecting on Lost Nation Orchard

October 30, 2025 By Anastasia Maher

written by Kevin Winters, Littleton Co-op Manager on Duty

Food for Thought is a new online space by the Littleton Food Co-op for Co-op staff, members, and partners to publish musings & reflections on what they care about.

Did you know the world’s most influential organic apple orchard is right here in the North Country? Lost Nation Orchard is about 25 miles north of the Co-op in the Lost Nation section of the town of Northumberland, NH. Home to Nancy, Gracie, and the late Michael Phillips, this small, local, family run holistic orchard produces the most delicious apples you will ever taste. To quote Dave Chapman, co-director of the Real Organic Project, and founder of the Vermont Organic Farmers organization, “Michael Phillips was the patron saint of organic orcharding.” Michael started Lost Nation Orchard almost 40 years ago at a time when everyone said it was impossible to grow apples organically. In fact, many people still say it is impossible to grow organic apples if you’re in New England. Michael has clearly proven all the naysayers wrong. Over the decades he became the most influential organic apple grower in the world. He grew over 120 different varieties of apples, both ancient heirlooms, and brand new experimental varieties. He wrote three seminal books on organic apple growing, which are widely considered to be classics, and a must read for any organic orchardist. He traveled far and wide lecturing, consulting, and giving workshops on how to grow organic apples. Also, Michael was the founder of the Holistic Orchard Network which has over 2,500 members from at least 7 countries. Countless prospective and experienced apple growers made the pilgrimage to his orchard to attend his workshops and learn from the master. Just bite into one of his apples, and experience an intense wave of complex, juicy flavors, which will radically alter your perception of what an apple can be.

Michael was also a wonderful human being. He was larger than life, and yet kind and gentle, with a down to earth, easy going personality, which made you feel right at home. Despite almost always being the most knowledgeable person in the room Michael was the best listener I’ve ever met. He would sit quietly listening, observing, and learning from those who had come to learn from him. An inquisitive mind of the highest order. I was blessed to know Michael for a dozen years or so, and have incredibly fond memories of visiting the orchard as many times as I could during apple season. For a food lover like myself there was nothing better than spending time with Michael in his apple barn as he excitedly danced about endless baskets filled with a kaleidoscopic variety of apples saying, “You absolutely must try this one, it’s an experimental variety developed in Czechoslovakia in the 1990’s , it has explosive flavors of citrus and PINEAPPLE. Yes, Pineapple!! And then there is this one here, and oh don’t miss out on this one, and make sure you try this old timey New England variety that has notes of bourbon, vanilla, and burnt sugar.” And on, and on it would go. What a blessing it was experiencing a true master of his craft spreading the joy created by the fruits of his labor.

And Michael was a family man. He met the love of his life, Nancy, when they both worked for a group foster home for abused and neglected children. The goal of the program was to offer the children natural foods, lots of time in nature, and a stable environment. They walked through this green world together for 37 remarkable years. Their daughter Gracie was the apple of his eye, and whenever he mentioned her, which was often, a visible twinkle could be seen radiating from his eyes. Like so many immensely talented people it seemed The Creator had important work for Michael in the Great Mystery that lies ahead of us all. He was called to that work in late February of 2022. Luckily for all of us, Gracie has decided to move back home and take over management of the orchard, thus continuing her father’s immensely important legacy. Gracie and Nancy are working extremely hard to continue this truly unique North Country family farm, and for the first time ever, Lost Nation Apples are available at the Littleton Food Co-op during apple season!!

And a word about spots. You’ll notice some spots on these apples, which is totally normal as all apples grown organically in New England, or any other temperate climate, will have spots. Most organic apples you see are grown in the dry, continental climate of eastern Washington state where it almost never rains. These spots have no flavor and do not affect the quality of the fruit at all. The only way to eliminate them in New England is to use chemical sprays. As Joni Mitchell famously sang, “Hey farmer farmer, Put away that DDT now, Give me spots on my apples, But leave me the birds and the bees, Please!”

We only become wise when we recognize that we need to emulate nature in our agricultural systems and in how we care for this planet.” – Michael Phillips

The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Littleton Food Co-op.

Eat Local Month Producer Highlights 2025

August 27, 2025 By Anastasia Maher

To celebrate Eat Local Month in August 2025, we dismantled the idea that eating local is “too difficult” or “outside the normal way” by putting together suggested everyday occasions over 20 local items. We hope one of these gives you a starting point to try eating local all year long, or serves as inspiration to create your own everyday occasion to support local growers and producers.

Local Sweet Treat

Listen: We know you’re going to pick up a sweet treat from the Co-op anyways. Why not make it a LOCAL sweet treat? We have plenty of locally produced options to fill that sweet tooth fix throughout the store. Whether you’re looking for a perfectly creamy ice cream for after dinner, a lil’ chocolate to sneak between meetings, or the socially acceptable may to drink maple syrup in public (hint: it’s maple candy!), we have a local option. And remember, this is just a sneak peak into some of the local sweet treats we have! There’s plenty more waiting for you in store.

Local Date Night

Whether it’s a night in with friends or a special romantic evening at home, everything can be improved with a charcuterie board made with local ingredients. We just got restocked with Roberta’s Crooked Mile goat cheese, so make sure a sweet or savory pick of her selection is included! If you want a decadent dinner, consider a delightful dairy-free option from Shire’s Naturals (NH’s first plant-based cheese company) or a spiced up entree with the help of Wozz! Kitchen Creations. And forget ending the night with chocolate! Local food lovers know that organic strawberries are the way to anyone’s heart. Hermit Woods wine will wash it all down. Of course, these are only some of the great local date night options we have at the Littleton Co-op.

Local Breakfast in Bed

Local breakfast in bed: the dream! You can certainly take any of these local ingredients to a normal, everyday breakfast routine, but since we’re dreaming here, we’re going all out and living in lavish local luxury — without even leaving the bed. That means fluffy pancakes from Polly’s Pancake Parlor mix smothered in Mount Cabot Maple single-source Grade A syrup. Mount Cabot Maple cream (aka maple GOLD) if it’s an extra special occasion. Don’t worry, we’re not going to get sick on sweets; it’s all going to be balanced out with a couple of crispy, thick-cut strips of North Country Smokehouse bacon. Drooling yet? And of course, it’s all getting washed down with locally-roasted coffee. This morning, we’re reaching for Jenna’s Promise Roasting Co.’s Local Blend. And now you’ve just eaten breakfast and given back at the same time! Proceeds from this VT coffee company go directly to supporting the work of Jenna’s Promise, which focuses on building healthy and safe communities by reducing the burden of substance use disorder in the region. Not to mention it’s a great cup of ‘joe Not a coffee fan? Pour yourself a tall glass of Hatchland Farm milk and support one of the few remaining independent dairy farms in the area. And you know it’s good, because the Hatch family lives by the motto: “If we wouldn’t eat it ourselves, we won’t sell it to you.”

Local Packed Lunch

Since we make such a big deal out of celebrating locally produced food, you might think it’s for special occasions only. This guide especially is meant to demonstrate how you can incorporate local food into your everyday routines — like for lunchtime! A lunchbox packed with Vermont Smoke & Cure meat sticks, Port City Pretzels, Cabot Creamery cracker cuts, and a hearty sandwich on Klinger’s sourdough is definitely better than cafeteria food and your soggy leftovers in the office fridge (no shade). And we love having a local company like Bee’s Wrap focused on sustainable plastic-free packaging to perfectly compliment any local goodie.

Local Weekend Kickback

BBQs are a common weekend celebration, and we suggest firing up some Robie Farm local beef burgers and serving with a side of grilled veggies, like peppers and eggplant from 4 Corners Farm. If family and friends can’t make it for a gathering, at least take a moment to do a cheers to a great summer — a can of Wildbloom and new Woodstock lemonade for the non-drinkers would be our suggestions. If all else fails, chillin’ on the couch with some Wrap City chips (2 bags per person should be enough?) is a completely valid option. What’s everyone’s summer weekend plans shaping up to be? Consider closing out the week with one of these great local products!

Father’s Day Gift Guide

June 10, 2025 By Anastasia Maher

Where would life be without Dads? That being said, they can be incredibly hard to buy gifts for! We here at the Littleton Co-op broke things down by dad characteristics (dad-teristics, if you will) and found options for everyone for Father’s Day. And have no fear — there’s a gift for every budget, too. Make things easy and find all of your Father’s Day gifts and essentials at the Littleton Co-op.

For the “Stereotypical Dad”

If you swear every TV sitcom father is based on your own, he will appreciate complex sauces and marinades to complement his summer grilling; one of our hundreds of local craft beer options; a nut or snack mix to make couch-sitting more fun; or a sweet treat to end the day. Consider these options this Father’s Day:

LOCAL Genuine Jamaican BBQ Sauce and Marinade: $5.99
LOCAL Schilling Beer Co. Ziegenmensch Maibach: $17.99
Bulk Organic Dill Cashews: $16.99/lb
My Dad’s Cookies (assorted flavors): $7.99

For the “Outdoorsy Dad”

If you’re worried about getting your dad inside long enough to open a present, give him tools to stay out longer, enjoy the outdoors, or remind him of our area’s natural beauty with:

Littleton Co-op Trucker Hat (various styles available): $19.99
LOCAL Badger Sunscreen (various styles available): $8.99+
S’mores kit with marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate, woodcut “Littleton, NH” s’mores stick: Prices Vary
LOCAL White Mountain Images Notecard Box Set: $15.00

TIP: Get creative with s’mores! Check out our post on 8 ways to make s’mores.

For the Overworked Dad

Every father is a working father, but some just don’t know how to turn off “work mode.” Gifts for the “workaholics” can either be aimed at making their busy lives easier, creating efficiencies in their schedule, or trying to teach them how to relax. These gifts hit all of those categories:

LOCAL Critical Mass Coffee (assorted blends): $17.99
LOCAL Badger Sore Muscle Rub: $11.99
Lunchskins Plastic-Free Starter Kit: $6.59
Equal Exchange Organic Chocolate Bar (assorted flavors): $5.49

For the “Foodie Dad”

In some families, if Dad is making dinner there’s no question that it’s going to taste fantastic! Whether you want to treat him to high quality ingredients, help restock the pantry, or set up a family cooking adventure, these gifts will “cook” (as the kids say):

Rustichella Pasta (assorted shapes): $6.29+
Bulk Department Refill Spices: Varies, spices priced per pound
Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust Mix: $4.99
LOCAL hot sauces from Angry Goat Pepper Co. and Sugar Bob’s: $8.79+

For the Active Dad

If Dad loves hitting the gym, going on family walks, or just never sitting still, fuel his active lifestyle with gifts like these:

Protein and Energy bars: Price Varies
Bulk Grandy Organics High Antioxidant Trail Mix: $15.99/lb
Orgain Organic Protein Powder (assorted sizes and flavors): $34.99+
Klean Kanteen (assorted styles and colors): $27.99+

*Product availability and pricing may vary; please stop in store for up to date information.

Not seeing something for a Dad in your life? Get him a Littleton Co-op gift card! Available in store and online.

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

April 29, 2025 By Anastasia Maher

It’s no secret that all the mothers in our lives deserve something nice this Mother’s Day. But parents spend 18+ years providing for their children, meaning sometimes it’s hard to let go and let themselves be treated special for once. But that just means they deserve a gift to show your appreciation even more! Have you seen those restaurants out there that have named menu items based on cliches that kids say when you ask them what they want to eat? A hot dog and french fries might be called “I Don’t Know,” and an “I’m Not Hungry” consists of penne pasta and sauce. We’ve adapted that idea below for Mother’s Day. Use what the mothers in your life say they want for Mother’s Day to select from one of the options below. And remember, we’re going to look beyond the superficial words being said here. For instance:

“Oh, I don’t need anything special.”

This mom doesn’t want to be the center of attention or have a big fuss made that upsets a Sunday routine. And they likely don’t want more physical products to try to make space for in the house. Hot take: sometimes giving someone a “special Mother’s Day” vase, jewelry box, tchotchke, etc is actually more of a burden than a gift. You’re saying now I have another ~thing~ in my space that I didn’t get to pick out AND I can never throw away without a lifetime of guilt?? Instead of elaborate plans or unnecessary products, focus on enhancing the routine they already have. Consider:

Local Coffee. Start mom’s day with an extra special cup of joe. Local coffee tastes best because not only are our local producers focused on craft and quality over mass production, it’s a gift that directly supports your community. Moms have enough to worry about in life – take one worry away by gifting ethically-sourced, environmentally-responsible coffee beans. And hey, get ground beans – don’t make them do any more than required.

Trail mix or energy bites from the Bulk Department. A mother on the go can never get enough protein-packed fuel to get through the day. And whether you’re a spouse, child, family member, or co-worker, let’s be honest here: you’re one of the reasons their energy is depleting. It’s only fair that you give a boost.

Littleton Co-op gift card. There’s bound to be SOMETHING a mom needs at the Littleton Co-op! Let mom decide with a gift card to their favorite local grocery store. And even better: give the gift of a solo shopping trip. Sometimes, even better than a bottle of wine paid for with a gift card is the opportunity to stand in the wine aisle deciding for as long as you want; no screaming kids, no impatient partner, just pure grocery store bliss. Purchase Gift Card Online.

“My favorite gift is spending time with you.”

Gift giving and receiving is not everyone’s “love language” and that’s totally okay! Quality time might mean more to mom than the most expensive gift money could buy. But let’s face it: an excursion or day out on the town can add up fast. But hanging out at home watching TV doesn’t really separate Mother’s Day from a regular Tuesday. Consider purchasing something to center your quality time around, such as:

Co-op Puzzle. The ultimate rainy day activity! The worst thing would be making mom feel frustrated, which is why the Co-op puzzle is an achievable 375 pieces. Cooperate with mom to assemble a collage of some of our favorite cooperative moments. This is great to spark conversations about your favorite foods, memories from the past fifteen years, and memorable times working on a team.

King Arthur Baking Mix. Get your hands dirty with mom in the kitchen this Mother’s Day! Not only do you get to enjoy the activity of baking something savory or sweet together, but then you get the secondary experience of enjoying your creation together. If home baking is not your strong suit, King Arthur Baking mixes make the process much easier. And you know all the ingredients will be top-notch. Plus, the King Arthur Baking headquarters is a short drive away in Norwich, VT – road trip with mom!

NH travel cribbage board. This isn’t just your standard cribbage board. These handcrafted wooden sets from Maine are carved with White Mountains inspired images on the board and pegs. Mom will feel touched that you went the extra mile to customize a board for the two of you to play together; meanwhile, all the work you have to do is pick it up from the Co-op.

“Whatever you want to give me.”

Okay, that’s great, mom. What I want to give you is an all expenses paid tropical vacation, one million dollars, and a break from carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, but that’s not realistic for multiple reasons so could you give me some guidance here? Moms who say something along these lines just don’t want to be a burden; but, that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t appreciate a token of affection. If a tropical vacation is out of your budget, focus on smaller gifts that can give mom those same feelings of a calm and stress-free life. Consider these options:

Locally-made soap. In our completely unbiased opinion, our local soap makers are the best! The artistry that goes into the flavor design and physical crafting of our local soap selection is exactly the kind of thing a mother will appreciate. And that’s not even including getting to use it and experience a lather of love.

Specialty Cheese accessories. Of course, Mom (or anybody really!) would appreciate a selection of cheeses from the Specialty Cheese island. But it can be difficult to gift perishable items (especially in the warmer months when we can’t use the back porch as a secondary refrigerator lol). But the Specialty Cheese Department also has a number of high quality non-perishable crackers, jams, spreads, and other “accessories” that would pair well with any cheese or other food of mom’s choosing.

Aromatherapy tools. I don’t think anyone knows a mother who is “too relaxed” or “gets plenty of sleep.” Help all the moms treat themselves with lotions, masks, bath add-ins, oils, and more from the Wellness Department. Many brands offer tools to focus on various areas of wellness, but you can never go wrong with anything targeting sleep or relaxation. Bonus points for knowing mom’s favorite scent!

MVP: Most Valuable Pairings

February 3, 2025 By Anastasia Maher

We know that a great match up is what makes a great game, so we asked our beer expert Kevin to match classic football snacks with their best accompanying local brew. And to be sporty, we’re calling them MVPs: Most Valuable Pairings. While it’s not as elegant as pairing wine and cheese, these still let your favorite beers and game snacks shine. All of these great local options (and much more!) are here at the Littleton Co-op. We also have all the domestic and international classics, and N/A options, too! Check out Kevin’s recommendations below. But whatever brews you choose, make sure you have enough to last the whole game!

Producer Spotlight: Genuine Jamaican

January 27, 2025 By Anastasia Maher

Producer: Genuine Jamaican

Owner/Founder: Derrick Samuels

Location: Barnet, VT

Found at the Littleton Co-op: BBQ sauces and marinade

Website: Facebook Page

Our modern day food systems were built on the backs of People of Color (POC), particularly the Black community, without making room to acknowledge their important contributions. During the month of February, celebrated as Black History Month, we take intentional moments to celebrate Black entrepreneurs, inventors, and businesses that have shaped the way we eat, drink, and live. Supporting a vibrant and diverse producer network is a yearlong goal of the Littleton Co-op, and we are proud to highlight BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) voices. Read more about Littleton Co-op’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work here.

Ask around to the folks in Northern Vermont and New Hampshire and you’ll be hard pressed to find someone who’s seen Derrick Samuels of Genuine Jamaican without a smile on his face. A genuine smile. Derrick is proud to provide authentic Jamaican food and flavor to our corner of the globe; he has been a Barnet, VT resident with his wife Shellie for 35 years. Seasonally, you’ll find him serving up full prepared meals at the Caledonia Farmers Market (St. J, VT), but his rubs and marinades are available at the Littleton Co-op year round. He credits his late mother and grandmother with both his cooking skills and optimism. But for Samuels it’s not optimism as most people see it – a season of life or fleeting feeling; it’s simply a way of life. His motto: “If you can take care of things, take care of it.”

Genuine Jamaican and Derrick certainly take care of their customers, offering high quality versatile rubs, marinades, and sauces at a great value. Come get a hit of a Jamaican summer in the midst of winter here at the Co-op!

Producer Spotlight: Strafford Organic Creamery

January 27, 2025 By Anastasia Maher

Producer: Strafford Organic Creamery

Founder/Owner: Earl Ransom and Amy Huyffer

Location: Strafford, VT

Found at the Littleton Co-op: Ice cream, milk, eggnog (seasonal)

Website: Facebook Page

Strafford Organic Creamery– steered by Earl Ransom, Amy Huyffer, and family– at Rockbottom Farm, is a living legacy in Vermont. As the one remaining dairy farm left in Strafford, VT, down from over two dozen in the town’s previous life, there’s a lot of pressure on them. Add the fact that Earl is one of three Black dairy farmers in Vermont*, and the spotlight shines brighter. But in Earl’s experience, “Being Black in Vermont has always been interesting, because it’s existing in a place people don’t expect you to be, no matter your profession.”

No matter the pressures that may or may not be on them, Strafford Organic Creamery is not one to succumb to doing anything any way other than what’s best for their Guernsey cows, their land, or their planet. They’ve been bottling their milk in glass since 2001 and haven’t looked back. Yes, plastic would be cheaper, and doesn’t require constant bottle return solicitations, but it’s nowhere near as sustainable. This goes hand in hand with their decision to remain a standalone farm, which means they do their own bottling on site. This means the Ransom family are the ones directly overseeing the process and setting their own standards. Their cows –with names like Pomegranate, Naan, and Larkspur– roam on organic, diversified pasture for 22 hours a day. Amy sums it up best: “I’ve thought about quitting every day, but I’ve never thought about compromising our values.”

Learn more about Strafford Organic Creamery on That’s Rad Episode 45: Strafford Organic Creamery where Amy Huyffer talks with the Co-op about life on the farm, Vermont’s dwindling dairy industry, and their mouth-watering ice cream.

*according to 2017 US Department of Agriculture census data

Producer Spotlight: Global Village Foods

January 27, 2025 By Anastasia Maher

Producer: Global Village Foods

Founder/Owner: Damaris and Mel Hall

Location: Quechee, VT

Found at the Littleton Co-op: Samosas

Website: globalvillagefoods.com

The story of Global Village Foods is a story of the blending of two separate cultures through two people who express love through food. One half of the team, Damaris, hails from Kenya, where “farm fresh food was a way of life.” America’s growing trend of “eating with the seasons” was the idea that punctuated her childhood, with fresh ingredients and aromatic spices filling the air for family gatherings and communal celebrations. Her other half is Mel, was born and raised in Memphis, TN, in a culture filled with bold, soulful Southern fare. Together, their journey brought them to Vermont – a breeding ground for the “slow food movement.”

The recipes of Global Village Foods are not just perfect for folks looking for authentic African cuisine, but also for those with food allergies. When Mel and Damaris had a child with severe food allergies, they worked hard to adapt their time-and-true recipes to be allergy-friendly, vegan, and gluten free. Their goal is to make sure everyone can experience flavorful, nutritious, traditional African cuisine.

Fire Cider Recipe from Heartsong Farm Wellness

January 13, 2025 By Anastasia Maher

We were fortunate enough to host Grace Phillips of Heartsong Farm Wellness Center at the Littleton Co-op in January 2024 to lead a class on fire cider. Participants learned about typical fire cider ingredients and the benefits of this beloved tonic. While herbalist Rosemary Gladstar has the best known recipe for fire cider, it has truly evolved to be more of a concept than an exact recipe after years of adaptation in the herbalism and wellness communities. That being said, you can truly make this your own, so don’t fret about exact measurements or the need to substitute or omit an ingredient. After all, you’re the one who is going to be consuming it, so make it to your enjoyment.

Whatever ingredients you want to include in your fire cider, make sure to grab them here at the Littleton Co-op! We have the North Country’s best selection of local organic produce (often on sale!) to make your fire cider shine. Below is the recipe Grace shared during the Co-op’s fire cider making class:

Ingredients

 ½ gallon raw apple cider vinegar
 2 Onions (yellow preferred), chopped
 1 Lemon, zested and juiced
 2-3 Cayenne Peppers, chopped
 1 Fresh Ginger Root, grated
 1 Fresh Horseradish Root, grated
 2 bulbs Garlic, crushed or chopped
 Small jar of raw Honey

Equipment

 ½ gallon glass mason jar
 1 correct size lid (ideally the plastic ‘no spill’, but regular metal lid is fine)
 Cheese grater
 Paring Knife
 2 Cutting Boards
 4 small bowls
 Small and large spoons
 Parchment or wax paper
 Cheesecloth or strainer
 Paring Knife
 2 Cutting Boards
 4 small bowls
 Small and large spoons

Place your desired amounts (or all of each) of the onion, lemon zest, lemon juice, cayenne peppers, ginger, and horseradish into the canning jar. Cover with apple cider vinegar by two to four inches. If using a metal canning jar lid, place a piece of parchment or wax paper under the lid to prevent the vinegar from touching the metal. Shake well. Store in a dark, cool place for one month and shake daily during that time.

After one month, use a cheesecloth or strainer to separate the solid ingredients and any pulp from the liquid, pouring the vinegar liquid into a clean jar. Add honey to taste and balance out the fiery ingredients. 1/4 cup honey is a good place to start. Stir honey into vinegar until incorporated. Taste and continue adding honey until reaching desired sweetness level. The mixture should taste spicy, hot, and sweet (if desired).

Fire cider can keep for several months unrefrigerated and in a cool pantry, but it is best kept in the fridge. Use as a daily wellness tonic, or as a sauce for salads, vegetables, and grains. And if you don’t want to discard your strained out ingredients, check out this waste-reducing recipe for Fire Cider Chutney from our friends at Shelburne Farms. Enjoy!

10 Unique Ways to Present a Gift Card

December 16, 2024 By Anastasia Maher

In many ways, a gift card is the perfect gift. It’s always the recipient’s favorite flavor, correct size, and matches all dietary restrictions. And a gift card to the Littleton Food Co-op is a surefire way to make sure your loved one is getting quality local food options at great prices. You can even purchase a Littleton Co-op gift card online and have it sent directly to your recipient (contiguous US addresses only). However, gift cards also get slept on as a present option, often said to be underappreciated and underwhelming because of their small size and frankly, lack of creativity. That’s where we come in! Here are some creative ways to present a gift card to your recipient that will have them saying “best present ever!”

Frame it Up

A simple frame will do, but take it one step further and replace the boring background photo it comes with with a pretty scrap of fabric, a colorful burst of paper, original art, or even a photo — hey, who woulda thought!?

Wine AND Money

To create a non-boring gift, just combine two stereotypically boring gifts into one! Use some ribbon and bow making skills (if you have) to attach the gift card. Bonus points if the wine is from our wide selection of domestic, international, organic, and fair-trade wine options at the Littleton Co-op.

Knit a Pouch

A generically labeled “pouch” is great for beginner crafters or those without a lot of time; who says it has to be square or symmetrical!? If it (the gift card) fits, it sits, it gifts. It also combines the authenticity of a homemade gift with the perceived impersonal element of gifting a card.

Load Up a Mug

You can choose to include some of their favorite sweet or savory treats — we suggest browsing the Co-op Bulk Department — or pad the inside with tissue paper, newspaper, or another material.

A Money-Filled Ornament

Many retailers sell fully or partially clear ornaments that can be taken apart to design. You can certainly spend time designing one… or let our rainbow veggie gift card shine through.

Deck the Halls

Slip your gift card into a deck of cards. Extra creativity points if you use an online site to create a custom deck of cards. Sneaky points if you don’t tell them the gift card is in there and you wait to see how long it takes them to deal a hand.

Slip in a Stylish Wallet

Save your recipient one step and put their gift card where it’s eventually going to end up! This also makes sure the card is protected from being lost in holiday craziness and is “disguised” as a gift card.

Decorative Tin

Don’t throw away that old mint container! Give it a new life with some decorations — bling, fabric, art, and textural pieces are all appropriate. No old mint tin laying around? You can certainly can purchase a new one, but consider taking the mints out and presenting them separately (or keeping them for yourself) to prevent germs from transfering.

Willy Wonka It

Slip it between the inner and outer wrapper of their favorite chocolate bar! Some stealth will be involved in this operation if you want a clean-cut and less noticeable result. Just make sure they don’t automatically throw away the wrapper without notifying!

Wait, Gift Cards Don’t Have Feet!

But your recipient probably does! No one can resist a pair of cozy socks, especially if there’s a great gift card inside!

written by Kevin Winters, Littleton Co-op Manager on Duty

Food for Thought is a new online space by the Littleton Food Co-op for Co-op staff, members, and partners to publish musings & reflections on what they care about.

Local Sweet Treat

Local Date Night

Local Breakfast in Bed

Local Packed Lunch

Local Weekend Kickback

For the “Stereotypical Dad”

For the “Outdoorsy Dad”

For the Overworked Dad

For the “Foodie Dad”

For the Active Dad

Not seeing something for a Dad in your life? Get him a Littleton Co-op gift card! Available in store and online.

“Oh, I don’t need anything special.”

“My favorite gift is spending time with you.”

“Whatever you want to give me.”

Producer: Genuine Jamaican

Owner/Founder: Derrick Samuels

Location: Barnet, VT

Found at the Littleton Co-op: BBQ sauces and marinade

Website: Facebook Page

Producer: Strafford Organic Creamery

Founder/Owner: Earl Ransom and Amy Huyffer

Location: Strafford, VT

Found at the Littleton Co-op: Ice cream, milk, eggnog (seasonal)

Website: Facebook Page

Producer: Global Village Foods

Founder/Owner: Damaris and Mel Hall

Location: Quechee, VT

Found at the Littleton Co-op: Samosas

Website: globalvillagefoods.com

Ingredients

Equipment

Frame it Up

Wine AND Money

Knit a Pouch

Load Up a Mug

A Money-Filled Ornament

Deck the Halls

Slip in a Stylish Wallet

Decorative Tin

Willy Wonka It

Wait, Gift Cards Don’t Have Feet!

So what are you waiting for? Purchase a Littleton Co-op gift card today and get to gifting!

View more events here!

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